The all-new Aston Martin DB9 Does a Route 66

Irma Elder, president, Aston Martin Troy, will host her gathering at a restaurant in Birmingham, Mich. The guest list will include current Aston Martin drivers.

“They are the true automotive enthusiasts,” said Elder. “They know quality. They know a unique car and a different car.”

Other invitees will include hand-picked prospects and a carefully selected mix of automotive and lifestyle media. Aston Martin executive management will be on hand to talk with owners and answer questions about the DB9 and the company.

“The “Driven to the 9’s Tour” will elevate Aston Martin's product launch activity to new heights,” said Cristina Bruzzi, manager, Communications and Marketing, Aston Martin North America. “We are working closely with some of the partners who make our cars special so as to bring a unique experience to all our guests at each event.”

The DB9 Volante is the sixth new car from Aston Martin in less than two and a half years.

"From the outset of the DB9 program, we knew we wanted a convertible model. So the Volante has been designed, engineered and built from the outset as a convertible -- it's not a coupe with just the top taken off,” said Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO, Aston Martin.

"The DB9 Volante has all of the traditional styling cues you'd expect from a convertible Aston Martin. It's very elegant and perfectly proportioned from every angle, while subtle embellishments help create a powerful-looking sports car,” Bez added.

The DB9 Volante will be built alongside the DB9 Coupe at the newly opened Aston Martin Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, England. Both models will be hand-built with the Coupe being delivered to customers in summer 2004 and the Volante in autumn 2004. It is expected that more than 2,000 DB9 models will be sold next year of which around 50 percent will be the Volante model.